With reference to your column Sorry, romantics - Valentine's day has no place in our hearts or wallets (February 13), every day ought to be romantic, not just Valentine's Day. That said, VAT is having adverse effects on the spending habits of some residents of the UAE.
Henry Udubra, Canada
Maybe people are just going back to finding more intimate things to do with their loved one. A romantic dinner or walk on the beach is always nice.
Cheri Keller, US️
This has nothing to do with a social trend, it is to do with absolute commercialisation. When I see a price of Dh60 for a small greetings card, this is disgraceful. Of course we should treat our partners with love always but it is nice to treat each other and express our feelings on Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately we are now forced to do this by celebrating on different days and having meals at home. This is due to having to purchase expensive presents and excessive overpricing on simple gifts such as flowers and cards. That is why Valentine’s Day is fading out. People are tired of being ripped off.
Louise Phillips, UK️
Modi wants to establish good relations with all nations
I refer to your article Modi's Ramallah visit to underline Indian support to Palestine (February 9): Samanth Subramanian, the author of the article, elaborately explained Indian prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to Palestine and the Palestinians' expectations of India. India's growing ties with Israel should not trouble Palestinians. Mr Modi wants good relations with all nations and his visit to Ramallah will boost New Delhi's relationship and serve Palestinian interests in the long run.
K Ragavan, Bangalore
Indians have lost faith with tardy government promises
In reference to your editorial Modi's second visit in three years highlights strong India-UAE ties (February 10), the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has had a successful visit to the UAE and Oman, as evidenced by the time given to him by the leadership of these countries and the audiences waiting to hear his speeches.
Nevertheless, back home, voters are getting disenchanted with the government, due to its tardy economic deliveries. Moreover, Mr Modi’s attacks on the Congress involving pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, a respected and learned former prime minister of India, are in bad taste. Mr Nehru and the Congress were instrumental in attainting freedom for India.
Granted, there is a general election in India next year. However, undue criticism of the leaders of the last 60 or 70 years does not generate goodwill. It only shows growing insecurity.
Rajendra Aneja, Dubai
Your story about the UAE women's ice hockey team taking Washington and the NFL by storm (February 13) was really inspiring. Well done!
Lynne McMurray, Dubai
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
